Leriche lands (for now) at Green Mountain Power

When Rep. Lucy Leriche, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, announced last month she would not seek re-election, she cited the need to earn more money and get back to an “income producing life.”

Her first stop? Green Mountain Power.

Leriche has landed a contract gig with the politically connected electric utility that she expects will last three or four months.

Leriche, an eight-year veteran of the House who served as House Majority Leader the last two years, will be doing community outreach for the company, which just won approval to buy out Central Vermont Public Service and become the largest utility in the state.

The Hardwick resident said much of her work will likely be up in the Northeast Kingdom working with communities involved in the Kingdom Community Wind project in Lowell, a highly controversial wind development that will be the biggest in the state when it’s done.

As the windmills are shipped in, said Leriche, she will be “working with towns to coordinate transportation routes and make sure transportation of the equipment goes smoothly and if anything should arise be there to help get problems solved and make sure things get ironed out.”

Leriche made it clear the job is temporary and that she is still looking for something permanent.

Green Mountain Power has made itself into something of a landing pad for former politicians and executive branch officials.

Leriche said she is replacing David Coriell, who was former Gov. James Douglas’ spokesman at the end of his tenure. Neale Lunderville, who was Douglas’ administration secretary also ended up at GMP.

Robert Dostis, who chaired the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee that deals directly with utility issues, was hired in 2008 and has been a frequent spokesman for the corporation.